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Day after debate, Trump rally brings big buzz to Beaver County

Ambridge Area High School hosts campaign event with Republican presidential nominee

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Updated: 7:33 PM EDT Oct 10, 2016

Day after debate, Trump rally brings big buzz to Beaver County

Ambridge Area High School hosts campaign event with Republican presidential nominee

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Updated: 7:33 PM EDT Oct 10, 2016

AMBRIDGE, Pa. —

Less than 24 hours after the latest presidential debate, Republican nominee Donald Trump was in Western Pennsylvania for a campaign rally on Monday afternoon.

During his rally, Trump reiterated key elements of his platform; bringing jobs back to America, renegotiating trade deals and building a wall between the United States and Mexico that he says Mexico will pay for.

"I always want you to remember this, we are going to bring back your jobs to Pennsylvania, we're going to bring back Steel, your steel has been stolen from you in this area, natural gas, the EPA is killing you and killing your companies," Trump told the crowd at Ambridge High School.

Trump touted his performance at Sunday night's debate. He also reiterated a claim he made that, if he wins, he will hire a special prosecutor to investigate Clinton.

"All crooked Hillary could do was talk about small, petty things last night. During the course of 90 minutes, she was exposed, and her failures were exposed," Trump said.

Trump highlighted the transcripts released last weekend in which Clinton allegedly told banks she hopes for a more free economy, one that Trump says would economically gut communities.

As for the video that surfaced Friday afternoon in which Trump is heard making lewd comments about women, he repeated something he said at Sunday night's debate; that they were just words and that Hillary Clinton's actions have been far worse.

Trump currently trails Clinton in many Pennsylvania polls by close to double digits.

People began arriving early in the morning -- some with lawn chairs -- and lined up in anticipation of the late-afternoon event at the Ambridge Area High School field house.

Regardless of whether they support or oppose Trump, several people in line said they were simply excited that a presidential nominee was visiting their tiny borough in Beaver County.

"My daughter and I came because it's a historic event when a campaign comes literally this close to home. We had to see it," Alan Freed said.

Many said they think Sunday night's debate marked a turnaround for Trump, believing that he did a better job of staying on message against Democrat Hillary Clinton, and they hope he carries the momentum forward.

Jamie Davis said she will vote for Trump, but still thinks he needs to be "a little more presidential" and decided to go to the rally to hear him speak in person.

"He's doing a lot better than he was when he first started," she said. "At first I was like, 'I'm not sure what I'm looking for, but a little something more than what I'm seeing now.'"

Freed said he is not a Trump supporter but still decided to wait in line to see the nominee.

"Just excited the national spotlight is shining on our town," Freed said. "How often does something like this happen in Ambridge? Just exciting to see this much activity in our hometown."

Freed's daughter, Carrie, is a college student and an undecided voter who waited with him in the cold.

"I like watching the debates. Neither has won me over yet," Carrie Freed said.

Several dozen protesters gathered on Duss Avenue across the street from Ambridge Area High School. Many of them were angry that Trump has been allowed to hold the rally at the school.

“We’re trying to discourage bullying in our high school, and they invite the biggest bully in the United States to our high school. I think it’s not a good venue for this at all,” said Ambridge native Ross McCoo.

The demonstrators held signs accusing Trump of bigotry, sexism and tax dodging. Michelle Oden joined the crowd despite not being able to walk because of recent knee surgery.

“I think it’s very hurtful when they say, ‘Build a wall,’” Oden said. “This country is for all of us. And I don’t think anyone should build a wall. Everyone should love each other and get along.”

Protesters and supporters yelled back and forth at times, but each group stayed on its side of the road for the most part.